Chances are, should disaster strike, most of us will find ourselves in our own region.
This will be for the best in most cases as you have the advantage of handling all of this in your own “backyard”. What I’m trying to say here is: You have a better chance of surviving if you know your region well enough before disaster strikes.
As preparers, we know it’s difficult to predict the outcome of a crisis, and you can’t really prepare for the unknown. On the other hand, there are some factors like your location, environment and population density that shouldn’t be a secret to you. Since you’ve already established your preparation priorities, one of the main tasks you need to accomplish is to organize the best course of action for you and your family.
Here’s what you should know about your region:
Edible plants
When food is scarce or you don’t have enough supplies with you, some plants can supplement your diet and provide you with valuable vitamins and proper nutrition. There may be edible roots, flowers, berries, and even grass that grows only in your part of the country. You should take the time to discover these plants and learn how to prepare and eat them safely.
Medicinal plants
Not everyone has extensive medical training, and most of us rely on the knowledge we’ve gained in first-aid classes we’ve attended over the years. As drugstores and professional medical care can become difficult to find, you will need to use your local “bio pharmacy” to obtain all kinds of cures.
From headaches to sore throats and even blood clotting, nature has you covered. There are plants that can cure all kinds of illnesses and injuries and you just need to learn to identify and use them.
Poisonous plants
An interesting tip about plant identification is to start by first identifying the plants you should stay away from. Touching the wrong plant or eating the wrong fruit can easily seal your chances of survival.
While most plants will make you sick and incapacitate you for a long time, some plants can even kill you. Making positive identification before use is rule number one. If you’re in doubt, look for a plant you really know!
Water sources
For a preparer who has made his predictions before, water may not seem like a primary concern, however, it can turn into a real problem if the disaster is not short-term.
This becomes much more common if we consider an evasion scenario, in order to be able to find water when you cannot transport all the supplies in your vehicle, you may want to learn how to find the available water sources in your area. Knowing about water wells will not only help you replenish your supplies, it will also give you a clear picture of the severity of the disaster.
For example, if there is a large water source in your area, there is likely to be a lot of competition for it. You need to make sure that you and your loved ones understand the implications of this and are able to handle the “competition”.
The smart thing to do would be to find out if there are multiple sources of water and direct the smaller ones out of sight.
Animals
No, we are not going to talk about hunting here, but about the risks that not knowing the local fauna can cause you.
Each region has its dangerous animals, and a sudden encounter with no way to defend yourself may not end well if you don’t know how to act. Not to mention there are also sneaky and stealthy ones like spiders and snakes that will go unnoticed by the untrained eye. You should educate yourself on how to handle animals, reptiles and dangerous insects that can be found in your area.
Weather patterns
Weather patterns affect our daily lives when we already have all the luxuries and accommodations we’ve built for ourselves. Imagine what it will be like to deal with bad weather when you are living in extremely unfavourable conditions. Knowing the weather patterns in your region will help you plan all your preparation.
Start by identifying the most dangerous weather hazards in your region and the time period in which they occur. Research and find out if there are solutions or means to remedy for each identified climate event.
Population
This is a major factor that can spoil all your grooming plans and you need to know a thing or two about your neighbours.
It is quite likely that most of them will wait for the government to come to their rescue. You can imagine how quickly things will go wrong if they don’t.
Having the means to defend yourself and your property is critical, especially when there is a high population density in your area. You must learn to leave without a trace and keep your perimeter safe. These are skills you should acquire if there are a lot of people in your area. Usually, if you find out how safe the neighbourhood is on a daily basis, all that knowledge will help you prepare.
Evasion routes
If you are forced to evacuate your home, you will need to learn about the escape routes that exist and how to use them.
Do you know everything about your area to make sure you get to your destination? If you have a long journey ahead of you, you will need to plan a timeline and stick to it. Consider whether you need to stock up on some supplies along the way. You will also need a meeting place for your family and other local friends.
Mapping out isolated routes that you feel no one knows about should be a priority. Also, be sure to map areas with an abundance of natural resources.
cConcluding
Planning and prioritization are the cornerstones of preparation. Studying the details of your home region will give you a better chance of surviving a crisis event. It gives you an edge that cannot be quantified in words and will allow you to live and tell the story.
